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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 4, 1993)
Ultimate players let the discs fly in Lincoln skies By Dionne Searcey Senior Reporter Discs soared as high as spirits this weekend when a Kansas City, Mo., team won the biggest ultimate tournament to come to Lincoln. Kansas City defeated Springfield, Mo., in the championship game Sunday. Both teams will travel to the regional tournament in Lex ington, Ky. Nine teams competed in this week end's sectional tournament. Local players say they aren’t disappointed they won’t be traveling to regionals in two weeks. Paul Thygesen said the team was happy Simply to be the host of the tournament. Lincoln’s team was defeated in quarterfinal play and finished the tournament with one win and three losses. Thygesen said players were pleased with the tournament. The weather was ideal; the field, for the most part, was plush; and the players were serious about their games. The tournament marks the near end of the outdoor disc-playing season for the Midwest. Nebraska winters don’tofferthe best of playing conditions. Thvecsen said. Patrick Rodysill, tournament director, said though he had played ultimate in snowy, 29 degree weather, nice days such as Saturday were ideal. Saturday’s temperature was in the mid-80s. When temperatures drop, Rodysill said, play ers will move practices inside the Campus Recreation building. Lincoln’s team will mod ify a few rules to host an indoor tournament this winter, he said. Tournaments are organized using a set of rules created by the Ultimate Players Associa tion, a governing body for all ultimate teams. Rules must be followed for field size and' statistic-keeping. The players themselves are responsible for adhering to guidelines, Rodysill said, in keep ing with the “spirit of the game” rule that * eliminates the need for referees. It’s commonplace for players from oppos ing teams to joke with each other, shake hands during play and keep each other in line through out the games, he said. Rodysill said spirit was important to him. “The attitude of the people js why I play,” he said. “Plus, I’m good at it ” Clockwise from top: Lincoln team member Shawn Berens seeks a throwing lane through his opponent’s defense. Rick Joos leaps past the opposition for an errant pass. Where there is ultimate there are dogs. Paul Larsen keeps his and two other retrievers entertained be tween games. Amy Lorhberg Patt, a mas sage therapist, gives Patrick Rodysill a rub-down between matches. Patt said she gave about 30 rub downs to players Saturday. 1 Photos by William Lauer